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Mary Lou McDonald hails community drugs project

Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has today paid tribute to the
work of local communities in combating the drugs scourge in Dublin.

Ms McDonald was speaking before she attended the launch of the
Mulhuddart/Corduff Community Drug Team Project. Ms McDonald attended the
event along with Dublin West Sinn Féin Councillor Felix Gallagher. President
Mary McAleese will also be in attendance at this afternoon's event.

Speaking today Ms McDonald said:

"I want to take this opportunity to wish the Mulhuddart/Corduff Community
Drug Team Project the very best in the coming years. I also want to pay
tribute to the invaluable work undertaken by many community organisations in
drug rehabilitation projects throughout Dublin.

"Many working class communities have been ravaged as a result of the drugs
epidemic in this city. Projects like the one in Mulhuddart/Corduff are an
indication of the determination of local communities to provide help and
support to those who live with drug addiction.

"Local communities deserve better from the Gardai and statutory agencies if
we are to tackle this problem. We need the Gardai to work in partnership
with communities and for statutory agencies to initiate a strategy to
eliminate social deprivation.

Councillor Gallagher said:

"I want to pay tribute to the management, staff and all of the volunteers at
the centre who carry out such fantastic work.

"Sinn Féin is calling for a complete overhaul of the National Drugs
Strategy. It is clear that the policing aspect of the strategy has failed.
Sinn Féin is calling for more resources for the Drugs Task Forces and Garda
Drug Squads and the formulation of new strategies for dealing with
increasing levels of cocaine and crack cocaine use." ENDS